Robert De Niro

Often regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, Robert De Niro was also one of the most enigmatic and remained famously tight-lipped about his personal life throughout his career. After gain...
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Hollywood veteran Robert De Niro has paid off a $6.4 million (£4 milion) tax debt after officials accidentally sent the bill to the wrong address.
The Raging Bull star was hit with a lien for failing to hand over the sum, and he paid off the amount in full just hours after he learned about the debt on Thursday (26Feb15).
De Niro's lawyer, Tom Harvey, blamed the late payment on a mix-up over the actor's address, telling the New York Daily News, "If they sent the bill to the right address, it would have gotten paid sooner,” while the star's spokesman, Stan Rosenfield, adds, "(They sent it) to an old address, currently an unoccupied commercial building... Once Mr. De Niro learned of this tax delinquency, he had a cheque for the full amount hand-delivered to the IRS (America's Internal Revenue Service)."

Some of the greatest and most memorable movie quotes of all time were completely unplanned. Don't believe us? Take a look at 20 of our favorites below and see for yourself:
1. Annie Hall
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Woody Allen's famous sneeze as his character, Alvy Singer, picks up a box of cocaine at a party, and after finding out that it's $2,000 an ounce, he asks what the appeal is...before sneezing all of the powder away into its owner's face. The sneeze was not scripted, believe it or not. The moment tested well with audiences and the other actors in the scene reacted so perfectly to it that Allen decided to keep it.
2. Titanic
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Perhaps one of the film's most memorable lines, Leonardo DiCaprio's feeling of invincibility would never have been captured had he not ad-libbed the line, "I'm king of the world!" Titanic has other improvised moments as well, like the scene where Jack teaches Rose to spit and when Rose spits in Cal's face.
3. Being John Malkovich
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Though this moment is contested somewhat, we still love the story. A few extras allegedly snuck some beer onto the set to make the most of long hours of filming. One such extra, who was (may or may not have been) supposed to throw something at actor John Malkovich's head from a passing vehicle, shouted "think fast," making the scene even funnier. Rumor has it that because of the line's inclusion, the extra had to receive a generous pay raise, all because of a drunken addition to the movie.
4. Blade Runner
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As Blade Runner, a film about a bounty hunter seeking androids to "retire," reaches its conclusion, its main character, Rick Deckard, is saved by the android he is supposed to kill. Right before preparing to die, the android, Roy Batty, gives a monologue reflecting on his past experiences. Though the monologue was indeed scripted, actor Rutger Hauer added the beautiful phrase, "like tears in rain."
5. Taxi Driver
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The script said "Travis talks to himself in the mirror." Robert De Niro took care of the rest. Because of this, we're left with one of the best lines in movie history, one of the greatest performances of all time, and the best idea for a theme party ever.
6. Dumb and Dumber
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The original script featured the titular idiots to argue over jelly beans in order to test the nerves of the hitman they unknowingly picked up as a hitchhiker. Since this is a movie with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, it evolved into something altogether different. The most annoying sound in the world was, for better or for worse, entirely improvised.
7. Good Will Hunting
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Robin Williams received his first and only Oscar for his dramatic role in Good Will Hunting. You may be able to take Robin Williams out of the comedy, but you can't keep the comedy out of him, and thus, in the midst of a pivotal scene in the movie, Williams broke into an unplanned story about his wife's flatulence. Matt Damon's uncontrollable laughter is genuine, as are the moments the camera shakes because of the cameraman's laughter. That's a magical movie moment.
8. Goodfellas
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The most memorable moment of Martin Scorsese's 1990 mobster movie is easily Joe Pesci's refusal to be called funny. This line was allegedly ad-libbed and inspired by a real incident where Pesci called a not-very-pleasant gangster funny.
9. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
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Hardcore Star Wars fans may know this bit already: the famous Han Solo moment where he tells Princess Leia "I know" wasn't scripted. The line was originally written as "I love you too," but didn't seem to fit into character. Harrison Ford suggested they change it to something a little more in line with Han Solo's personality, and thus, the greatest response to "I love you" was born.
10. Pretty Woman
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In a gloriously unscripted moment, Richard Gere's character was supposed to present Julia Roberts with a stunning diamond necklace, but instead playfully snapped the bling box closed. The unplanned move, and Roberts' perfect reaction to it, was so honest and fit the film so well, director Garry Marshall kept it in the finished version.
11. Raiders of the Lost Ark
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The epic sword fight that was scheduled for this scene (or perhaps it was a whip vs. sword situation) was ignored entirely in favor of this easier-to-film scene. The moment, when Indiana Jones just nonchalantly pulls out his pistol and does away with the swordsman, wasn't scripted. Spielberg agreed to do it to make filming easier for Harrison Ford, who was feeling a bit under the weather at the time. Thus, movie history was born.
12. Zoolander
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After David Duchovny's character explains to Ben Stiller's Derek Zoolander why male models have been behind every political assassination of the last 200 years, Stiller forgot the line he was supposed to stay in true Zoolander fashion, so he just repeated his previous line, "Why male models?" This prompted Duchovny's equally funny ad-lib, "Are you serious? I just told you that a moment ago..."
13. The Godfather
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The Godfather has a scene where Peter Clemenza is heading out to whack Paulie, but before he does, his wife asks him to pick up some cannolis. While the scene following Paulie's death was originally scripted as just "Leave the gun," Clemenza added a bit of humor and continuity to the film by adding the second part.
14. The Shining
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Stanley Kubrick's iconic adaptation of the Stephen King classic features the ad-libbed line "Here's Johnny!" Jack Nicholson improvised this line after chopping his way through the door and sticking his face in. The quote, referencing Johnny Carson's immensely popular late night show's introduction, added a bit of humor to an incredibly terrifying moment. It also, strangely, made the moment way creepier too.
15. Jaws
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Really, though, there was nothing else to be said. After seeing the shark for the first time, this unscripted moment was the only logical reaction a person could have. And now it's legendary.
16. The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up
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The extremely memorable, easy-to-imitate moments from both of these films were ad-libbed entirely by stars Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd. Director Judd Apatow had enough faith in both comedians to allow them to go on for several minutes in an unedited clip. The scenes may get a little annoying, but they are undeniably funny.
17. Midnight Cowboy
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Legend has it that this NYC cab ignored the indications that a movie was shooting on this street and drove down anyway. Dustin Hoffman's brilliant reaction was genuine and in character, and the rest is history.
18. Casablanca
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Arguably the most iconic line in the entire film, this one was ad-libbed by Humphrey Bogart during filming. Apparently, it's something he would say to Ingrid Bergman while teaching her poker between takes.
19. The Silence of the Lambs
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While the line about eating a census taker's liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti may have been in the script (as well as the book), the terrifying slurping hiss Anthony Hopkins lets out next was certainly not. It was left in the film because, hello, it's totally the creepiest thing a cannibal could do after discussing a meal.
20. Caddyshack
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Bill Murray, as surely everyone knows, can do literally anything. He's the greatest. Clearly director Harold Ramis knew that too -- the script for Caddyshack featured a scene where Murray's character Carl emulates a kid announcing his fantasy sports moment. Murray simply asked for four rows of mums, and boom! Movie magic.

Robert De Niro has signed on to co-direct the musical adaptation of A Bronx Tale, more than 20 years after he helmed the film. The Oscar winner and theatre veteran Jerry Zaks are teaming up to co-direct the production, which will premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey later this year (15).
De Niro's involvement with A Bronx Tale stems back to 1993, when he directed and starred in the movie version of Chazz Palminteri's play about a young boy from a working class family who becomes involved in organised crime.
Palminteri revived the 1989 play on Broadway in 2007, and subsequently took the show on the road for a U.S. tour.
He adapted his script for the upcoming musical, with Academy Award-winner Alan Menken as the composer and lyrics by Grammy winner Glenn Slater.
De Niro's A Bronx Tale musical is scheduled to begin on 25 November (15).

British author Oliver Sacks has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The scientist/writer, 81, whose 1973 book Awakenings inspired the Oscar-nominated movie of the same name, revealed that a cancerous tumour in his eye which was removed nine years ago has spread to his liver and cannot be cured.
In a touching article for The New York Times, Sacks writes, "I feel grateful that I have been granted nine years of good health and productivity since the original diagnosis, but now I am face to face with dying. The cancer occupies a third of my liver, and though its advance may be slowed, this particular sort of cancer cannot be halted. I cannot pretend I am without fear.
"But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved; I have been given much and I have given something in return; I have read and travelled and thought and written. I have had an intercourse with the world, the special intercourse of writers and readers. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure."
London-born Sacks has had an array of best-selling books as well as holding various teaching posts at New York Universities. His book Awakenings was turned into the 1990 movie starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.

Justin Timberlake teamed up with comedy pal Jimmy Fallon to launch the star-studded Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary special on U.S. TV on Sunday (15Feb15). Former SNL regular Dan Aykroyd urged viewers to "stay tuned" for the three-and-a-half hour show during the red carpet pre-show, insisting, "You're never gonna see TV like this again", and he wasn't wrong.
Timberlake kicked off the proceedings by interrupting his pal Fallon's opening song-and-dance number to join him for a rap number, referencing some of the show's most famous catchphrases and skits.
The two pals closed their i with a song-and-dance number, in which they named SNL's most famous comedians.
Sir Paul McCartney and Paul Simon then teamed up during a second monologue, during which Steve Martin fought to convince the starry audience that he was the best host - over Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin, Melissa McCarthy, Chris Rock and Miley Cyrus.
In among the medley of historical skits, dotted throughout the special, there were also updates of classic sketches, including a celebrity Jeopardy gameshow, featuring Jim Carrey as Matthew McConaughey, an updated Wayne's World, and spoof soap The Californians with Bradley Cooper as a pool boy, Kerry Washington as a doctor and Taylor Swift as a hippie actress, which ended with Cooper smooching Betty White.
Other highlights included Keith Richards introducing McCartney's rendition of Maybe I'm Amazed, Edward Norton, Melissa McCarthy and Emma Stone impersonating their favourite SNL characters, and Miley Cyrus covering Simon's 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.
The oddest moment came when rapper Kanye West performed his hit Jesus Walks while lying on the floor, beneath an illuminated white sheet. West eventually stood and sang his new song Only One.
Star guests also included Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Jerry Seinfeld, James Franco and Michael Douglas and former SNL regulars Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Chevy Chase, Will Ferrell and Bill Murray.
The marathon special ended with a performance from Paul Simon, but there was no 'N Sync reunion, as had been rumoured earlier in the day.

What is the craziest thing you ever done for you job? Chances are it has nothing on what these 10 actors did. Acting really attracts people that will go the extra mile to fit whatever role they take on.
1. Jamie Dornan
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This handsome actor had an on-set dominatrix to help coach him during the S&amp;M scenes for Fifty Shades of Grey.
2. Tom Cruise
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The action star got into a disguise and delivered mail to prepare to play an assassin in Collateral.
3. Adrien Brody
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This Academy Award winner lost 30 lbs to physically look like he was going through the Holocaust for The Pianist. He also got rid of all of his worldly possessions (phone, Porsche) and even dumped his girlfriend to be able to relate to his character's loss of everything.
4. Halle Berry
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The beautiful actress didn't shower for a month to get in the mind set of what it's like to be a crack addict for Jungle Fever. She also visited a crack den with a police officer.
5. Robert De Niro
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Talk about dedication! De Niro paid a dentist to grind and stain his teeth to look more like a psychopathic rapist for Cape Fear.
6. Nicholas Cage
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Cage is another actor who went to a dentist for a role, but he had two teeth removed without anesthesia to have believable war injuries for Birdy.
7. Rooney Mara
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The actress got a make over for her edgy role in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but other than a new hair cut she got her nipple pierced and bleached her eyebrows for the role.
8. Daniel Day-Lewis
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The method actor made headlines for being dedicated to his role for Lincoln by doing things like practicing to have a higher-pitched voice. Once he got a hang of the voice he never stopped using it even between takes. He would also stay in character when texting by signing off as "A."
9. Meryl Streep
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The Academy Award winner also worked on linguistics for an Academy Award winning role. She learned how to speak German fluently and with a polish accent for her role in Sophie's Choice.
10. Joaquin Phoenix
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This actor played a version of himself for a mockumentary, I'm Still Here where he leaves acting to become rapper. Part of his role included a very interesting appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman.
Would you do any of these crazy things for a role? Tweet us your answers to the Twitter handles below!
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Sir Paul McCartney, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift, Kanye West, and Justin Timberlake have been tapped to appear on the upcoming star-studded 40th anniversary special for U.S. sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. The live TV event will air in America on 15 February (15).

Oscar nominee Eddie Redmayne was terrified while shooting his first Hollywood movie with Robert De Niro behind the camera - and he's convinced it shows on film. The Theory of Everything star was in his early 20s when he landed a role opposite Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon in The Good Shepherd and insists the only reason he wasn't fired is because his character is supposed to look frightened.
Just before picking up his latest accolade - the Cinema Vanguard Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in California on Thursday (29Jan15) - he told WENN, "Suddenly I'm flying across the Atlantic and staying at hotels in New York and being taken to work in SUVs with blacked out windows. I arrived at the studio and there's Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon and there's tons of paparazzi outside.
"Everywhere I looked there was a famous person and suddenly there's a camera in my face and Robert De Niro behind it, going, 'And act!' I was so frightened basically of getting fired that when you watch the film I just look terrified! The character was meant to look terrified but not that terrified!"
Redmayne admits landing the movie role had more to do with his features than his talents, adding, "I auditioned for many months and in the end I basically got the job because I have big lips and I was playing Angelina Jolie's son!"

The holidays aren't the only time of year when family feels far away and you're missing home. Throughout the year you may find yourself wishing you could be with your loved ones, and these films are a great way to remind you of both a family's upside and downside. 15. "The Family Stone"
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The films portrays the struggles of joining a new family.14. "The Godfather"
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A classic film of strong family ties. 13. " The Blind Side"
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This film is more about friends who become family and how the line is eventually blurred, because you care for them just as much. 12. "Cheaper By the Dozen"
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This is great if you come from a big, crazy family 11. " The Upside of Anger"
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Because sometimes someone new comes along and joins the crew. 10. "The Kids Are All Right"
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A movie about the modern family. 9. "I Don't Know How She Does It"
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This will remind you of the times one of your parents would leave town, and you could get away with anything! 8. "Away We Go"
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This is a great movie for portraying the sweet innocence and nerves of a new family. 7. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"
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You don't have to be Greek to appreciate what it means to have a rather loud and intrusive family. 6. "Meet the Parents"
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I think we can all imagine an awkward bring-your-new-significant-other-home moment with our own families. 5. "The Royal Tenebaums"
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If you want to remember the grittier side of family life. 4. "The Descendants"
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Like the previous movie, this one is about the hardships family must endure together. 3. "Father of the Bride"
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If you need a good crying/laughing combo.2. "Extremely Loud &amp; Incredibly Close"
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This will remind you of the power of loss and having answers1. "Little Miss Sunshine"
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There's nothing a family wouldn't do to help you chase your dreams.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro have filmed a hilarious new TV ad for the Asian market, in which they audition for the same role in a Martin Scorsese film. The ad, for a new casino project, was written by Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street screenwriter Terence Winter.

Portrayed a New York gangland boss suffering from anxiety attacks in Harold Ramis' "Analyze This"

Played world class loser Rupert Pupkin, who kidnaps a famous late-night talk show host (Jerry Lewis) in Scorsese's "The King of Comedy"

Made rare TV appearance as host of the two-hour CBS special "9/11"

Co-starred with Clive Owen and Jason Statham in the action feature "Killer Elite"

Earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar as a young Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's "Godfather II"; spoke only eight words in English, rigorously researching and learning the Sicilian dialect which predominates

Played the title character's con man father in "Being Flynn," based on Nick Flynn's book Another Bullshit Night in Suck City: A Memoir

Produced and acted in "Marvin's Room," an adaptation of Scott McPerson's off-Broadway play

Left school at age 16 to begin studying acting with Stella Adler

Debut as an executive producer, the anthology TV series "Tribeca" (Fox)

Once again reprised the role of Jack Byrnes for the comedy sequel "Little Fockers"

Reteamed with Scorsese and Pesci for "GoodFellas"

First film with director Martin Scorsese, "Mean Streets"; the two had actually been boyhood acquaintances but had not seen each other in 14 years

Essayed Irving Thalberg-like movie mogul in "The Last Tycoon"; was adapted from the unfinished novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Cast in a supporting role as NYPD internal affairs special agent Moe Tilden in James Mangold's "Cop Land"

First collaboration with producer Irwin Winkler, "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight"

Received Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of boxer Jake La Motta in Scorsese's "Raging Bull"; first film with Joe Pesci who played his brother

First credit as producer on a film in which he did not act, "Thunderheart"

Delivered low key turn as nerdy cop in John McNaughton's "Mad Dog and Glory"; Scorsese served as a producer

First onscreen pairing with Al Pacino in Michael Mann's "Heat"

Made off-Broadway debut in Winters' play "One Night Stand of a Noisy Passenger"

Played the monstrous Max Cady in Scorsese's remake of "Cape Fear"; nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award

Summary

Often regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, Robert De Niro was also one of the most enigmatic and remained famously tight-lipped about his personal life throughout his career. After gaining attention in "Bang the Drum Slowly" (1973), De Niro exploded onto the public's consciousness as the reckless Johnny Boy in "Mean Streets" (1973), which commenced his partnership with Martin Scorsese, one of the greatest actor-director combos of all time. He earned his first Academy Award as a young Vito Corleone in "The Godfather Part II" (1974) and delivered his most iconic performance as would-be vigilante Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver" (1976). De Niro offered a haunting turn as a Vietnam veteran in "The Deer Hunter" (1978), before gaining 60 pounds to play boxer Jake La Motta in "Raging Bull" (1980). From there, he delivered great performances in "The King of Comedy" (1983), "Once Upon a Time in America" (1984), "The Untouchables" (1987) and "Awakenings" (1990). He reunited with Scorsese for "Goodfellas" (1990) and "Casino" (1995), and starred opposite Al Pacino in "Heat" (1995), but took a surprising turn to comedy in "Analyze This" (1999) and "Meet the Parents" (2000), both commercial hits that opened him up to criticism that he had sold out. Despite calls that he was past his prime, there was never any doubt as to where De Niro stood in the history of acting - he was a towering figure with an amazing body of work unmatched by most actors of any generation.

Dated during the filming of "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight" in 1971

Education

Name

Stella Adler Conservatory

Dramatic Workshop of the New School for Social Research

Actors Studio

PS 41

Notes

"After I give an interview I spend all my time trying to explain what I meant. After my first movies I gave interviews, then I thought what's so important about where I went to school and hobbies? What does any of that have to do with acting, with my own head? Nothing." – quoted in Time magazine, 1977

De Niro, Robin Williams and Francis Ford Coppola owned the San Francisco restaurant Rubicon. De Niro was also one of the owner-investors – along with Bob and Harvey Weinstein, executive producers of "Cop Land" and "Jackie Brown" (both 1997), actor Christopher Walken and director Ridley Scott – of the Los Angeles restaurant Ago, which served New York-style Italian cuisine.

"Early Brando seemed to romanticize, but it's really the poetry of the whole being. I don't know about my poetry, but you look at Brando and you're interested. He has a sense of truth in all his instincts and in order to get that truth, it's important not to indicate. People don't indicate when they tell you about their traumas. They don't try to tell you their feelings, they try to hide them. It's important to keep it fresh and simple." – De Niro on Marlon Brando, quoted in BLITZ magazine, 1988

For many years, De Niro paid child support to a former girlfriend Helena Lissandrello, believing he was the father of her daughter. During a dispute over financial matters, a DNA test proved De Niro was not the child's father.

In December 2001, De Niro, along with business partner Jane Rosenthal announced the inaugural Tribeca Film Festival, which was first held in lower Manhattan in May 2002.

Honored with France's Commander of Arts and Letters decoration (from Minister of Culture Jack Lang), De Niro later threatened to return the medal when French authorities questioned him about his alleged involvement with prostitutes: "I love Paris and I love the French, but the judicial system there with the judges having so much power is deplorable. You're guilty until you're proven innocent. This particular judge seemed to be carrying out some sort of witch-hunt. Maybe he thought he was in a movie." – De Niro quoted in The Guardian, Nov. 13, 1998

De Niro received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Congress of Racial Equality in 1993.

The actor was awarded an honorary doctorate from New York University in 1996.

"I think Hollywood has a class system. The actors are like the inmates, but the truth is they're running the asylum. You've got to look at the whole studio structure. There's these guys. We call them suits. They have the power to OK a film. They're like your parents, going, 'We have the money.' But at the same time they say to us actors, 'We love you. We can't do without you.' You know, I've been around a long time. I've seen the suits run the asylum. I think I can do it as good or even better. Let me try it. That's why I have TriBeCa." – De Niro quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times, Jan. 8, 1998

In 2003, De Niro was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"Some people understand what it is to create something special, and others are thinking what they can get out of it." – De Niro to Esquire magazine, January 2011